When Picky Eating Crosses the Line: How to Spot Eating Disorders in Children Under 12

The prevalence of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in children is estimated to be 3-5%. And that’s only one of the many types of children eating disorders. Even though eating disorders usually start in adolescence or young adulthood (and this is the age at which parents begin looking for them), eating disorders in children are both possible and extremely dangerous.

Unfortunately, children with eating disorders can be very hard to diagnose. Most parents and doctors are not looking for them and changes to body weight are common as a child grows.

So how do you know when it’s more than “picky eating”? Keep reading to learn about types of children eating disorders, as well as signs and symptoms.

Categories of Eating Disorders in Children

Eating disorders in children can mean both eating too little as well as eating too much.

ARFID

Likely the most common eating disorder in children and often written off as “picky eating”, it occurs when children have a complete lack of interest and even sensory aversion to certain foods. It includes a fear of getting sick from certain foods, and children do not grow out of it. Children will become malnourished due to the small number of foods they’ll actually eat.

Anorexia

A well-known eating disorder, anorexia is when a child refuses to eat. Often, he or she has an extreme fear of becoming fat, or will often believe they already are fat. This disorder can have a severe impact on health and growth.

Bulimia

Similar to anorexia, it’s another disorder where a child is trying to prevent weight gain. In this case, the child will binge eat and then purge out the food. To purge, he or she will either use laxatives or vomit.

Binge Eating

In this disorder, the child will actually eat uncontrollably. These children often feel out of control and will eat too much too quickly, often past the point of feeling full. It’s important to note that not all children with this disorder will be overweight, and it’s not the same thing as childhood obesity.

Signs of Possible Eating Disorders in Children

The reasons for most of these eating disorders is unclear. There appears to be a hereditary component, as children with a relative that has an eating disorder are much more likely to develop one — 7-12 times more than a child who does not.

Look for the following signs if you suspect your child might have an eating disorder:

He or she isn’t growing or gaining weight.

Your child is eating less or won’t eat and provides no explanation.

Your child is hiding meals or hoarding food.

He or she consistently eats past the point of fullness.

Your child has an abnormal obsession with cooking and/or cooking television shows.

Your child has motor restlessness (fidgeting can be the childhood manifestation of the adult symptom of excessive exercising).

He or she has excessive bowel movements.

Your child has an aversion to many tastes/smells/textures.

He or she is worried about body image or is afraid of being fat (or afraid of being teased for being fat).

Is Your Child at Risk?

Note that if your child has some of the above symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that he or she has an eating disorder. These are not definitive signs of eating disorders in children.

But if you do notice one or more of these symptoms, keep an eye out and talk to your child. If he or she continues to have problems, schedule an appointment with your health care provider or a childhood psychologist.